I’m Carolyn Arenas - a nationally board-certified Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and Registered Nurse practicing in Washington State.  With over two decades of healthcare experience, I bring a deep respect for the body’s innate capacity to heal.

My path to acupuncture began not in a classroom, but in my own body.  As a young adult, I developed Rheumatoid Arthritis, an autoimmune condition that conventional medicine couldn’t fully resolve.  Acupuncture and herbal medicine restored my health - a powerful experience that enabled me to become a Registered Nurse, so that I could support others through their own healing journeys.

For 20 years, I worked in cardiac care, oncology, and hospice.  Along the way, I witnessed firsthand both the strengths and the limitations of Western medicine.  Years later, when I faced a second health crisis - persistent, unexplained hives - it was once again acupuncture and herbal medicine that brought lasting relief.  That was the turning point: I knew I had to become an acupuncturist myself!

I went on to earn my Master’s Degree in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (MAcHM) from the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine, where I trained in diverse acupuncture styles, hands-on therapeutic techniques, and the rich lineage of East Asian herbal medicine.  

Today, my practice blends the precision of Western clinical training with the depth and nuance of East Asian healing. 

I specialize in women’s and reproductive health, offering holistic, individualized support for: 

• Menstrual and gynecological conditions

• Pregnancy care and labor preparation (including breech presentation)

• Postpartum recovery

• Perimenopausal and menopausal transitions

I also bring advanced expertise in pain management, with a particular passion for Tensegrity-Based Needling, a gentle yet highly effective acupuncture technique that integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine with orthopedic principles and sports medicine practices like dry needling.  This approach allows me to address the root cause of pain and support long-term balance and mobility. 

Herbal medicine is another cornerstone of my practice.  I craft personalized formulas using traditional Chinese herbs - time-tested remedies that address physical, emotional, and energetic imbalances in a harmonized way.

At the heart of my work is integrity - from the Latin integritas, meaning oneness and wholeness.  I strive to see and treat each person not as a collection of symptoms, but as a whole being.  Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, stress, pain, or life transitions, I offer care rooted in respect, compassion, and clinical excellence.  

My practice is a body-positive, queer-affirming space, welcoming people of all identities, experiences, and backgrounds.  

Outside of the clinic, you’ll likely find me with friends, curled up with a good book, or in the great outdoors - on land or at sea!

I look forward to walking with you on your path to healing - with warmth, insight, and integrity.